Starting-machine.



PATBNTBD DEG. 1, 190s. W. P.. BARLING.

.STARTING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED APB. ia. 1903.

NO MODEL.

Patented December 1, 1903.

PATENT @Erice lVALTER RAYNOR BARLING, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

STARTING-MACHlNE.

EECXIREECATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 745,411, dated December 1, 1903. Appleman ined Api-n 1s. 1903. serai No. 153,167. uit modelo specification.

Myinvention relates to an improvementin starting-machines, such as are used for racing-tracks for controlling the starting of the races; i

The object of myiuvention is to provide a 'machine of this character which will be simple and cheap in construction and will be reliable, convenient, and efective in its action and also simple, so that it is not likely to get out of order.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows, on a small scale, my device as an entirety; and Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the device, which is duplicated upon each side of the track and which carries the barrier.

Corresponding parts in both gures are denoted by the same refererence characters.

A starting mechanism of the character contem plated in my invention comprises two barrior-supporting devices, one upon each side of the track, between which is stretched the barrier, said barrier being of such construction that it is both light andl presents a considerable surface to view, so that it is readily'4 seen. Such a construction 1is provided by a barrier consisting of a band or web of some fabric.

One of the supporting devices employed in my invention is shown in detail in Fig. 2. This device, as shown by thefgure, is designed to be supported at any suitable point on the ground upon a post 1,permanently set in the ground. A block 2 issupported a slight distance above thisl post by means of two ears 3, through which pass pivot and clamping bolts 4 into the block, their ends projecting into recesses therein and being provided with nuts and Washers located in said recesses, by which means the block and the device carried vthereby may be adjusted in diierentangular positions. The block 2 furnishes a base for the telescopic members constituting the several parts of my invention. These telescopic members consist of au outer tube and an inner plunger. The outer tube 5 is preferably of metal and is provided with a cap 6, screwing to the upper end thereof, said cap at its outer end constituting a bearing for the inner plunger 7. This inner plunger 7, as herein shown, consists of a tube. Between the plunger and the outer tube 5 is placed a helical spring 8, which bears at its lower end against a member which is xedly supported relative to the tube 5; such member, as herein shown, consisting of a flanged plate 9, to which the tube 5 is screwed. The other end of the spring bears upon the member which is secured to the plunger 7, said member being herein shown as a washer orring 10, which snugly fills the space between the plunger and outer tube, so as to form a guide for the plunger. The spring 8 is coiled quite open, so that it may be capable of a large extension when released. Toward the upper portion of the tube 5, between said tube and the plunger, is secured a ring or Washer 11, which acts as a stop for the ring 10 to limit the upward throw of the plunger. Between the rings 10 and 11 may be inserted a ring, of rubber or other soft material, to act as a buifer to prevent undue shock. To prevent t-he plunger 7 from turning within the tube 5, I prefer to form slots 12 in opposite sides of the tube forming said plunger and to pass through these slots a pin 13, which is secured in the outer casing 5. Some means should be provided for locking the plunger in its lowermost position, or that shown in full lines in Fig. 2. The means herein shown consists ofa locking latch o r bolt 14, which is mounted to slide in guides 15, carried by the lower end of the plunger. One end of this latch projects from its guide a short distance and is beveled after the nia-nner of the ordinary latch placed upon a door. The beveled side ot' this latch is downward, and the latch is normally held projected by a spring 16, so that when the plunger is depressed a sufcient distance the latch will automaticallycatch and hold the plunger. Some portionof this latchas, for instance, the outer or looking endsshould be made of such form as to prevent rotation-as, for instance, square.

Two of the devices such as above are employed, one upon each side of the track, and the barrier,consisting of a web orband,is con- IOO nected with the upper end of each. Some convenient device is employed by which the catch of each of these devices may be withdrawn to release the plungers at the same time. When this happens, each of the plungers will be quickly shot upward under the inuence of the springs 8 and will be held in such elevated position. Any desired meehanism for accomplishing this purpose may be employed, preferably some mechanism which may be operated by electricity-for instance, such devices as are used for withdrawing the latches of doors from a distant point, as is common in apartment-houses. As such devices are well known in the art, I have not herein shown them. This or any other device which may be employed for withdrawing the latches may be connected directly with the latch or by the intervention of any other mechanism-as, for instance, a lever 17, which engages with a projection upon the latch. These levers may be thrown to release the latches by means of a cord connection, such as 18. In fact,the releasing of the latches may be accomplished by a great variety of devices.

I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the details of construction and arrangement as herein described and illustrated, as it is manifest that variations and modifications may be made in the features of construction and arrangement in the adaptation of the device to various conditions of use without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and improvements. I therefore reserve the right to all such variation and modification as properly fall within the scope of my invention and the terms of the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A barrier-support for starting-machines, comprising two telescopic members, the outside member mounted at its lower end on a horizontal pivot, a spring for extending said members, and a locking latch or catch for normally holding said members telescoped and the spring compressed.

2. Abarrier-supportforstarting-machines, comprising two telescopic members, a support therefor mounted upon a horizontal pivot, means for adjusting said support upon its pivots, the lower end of one of said members secured to said pivoted support, a spring for extending said members and a locking-latch to hold said membersl telescoped or coinpressed.

3. Abarrier-supportforstarting-machines, comprising an outer tubeor casing mounted at its lower end on a horizontal pivot, a plunger within said tube, a helical spring between said outer casing and the plunger for extending said members, supports for the end of said spring fixed one relative to the casing and the other to the plunger, a latch adapted to hold the plunger with the spring compressed, and means for releasing said latch. 4. Abarrier-supportforstarting-machines, comprising two telescopic tubes, one of said tubes having elongatedslots and the other tube having a pin engaging and sliding in said slots, a helical spring between said tubes and at opposite ends engaging the respective tubes, a latch for holding the spring compressed, and means for releasing said latch. In testimony whereof I have signed my name in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

Witnesses:

J. C. PYBAs, J. M. HocToR. 

